UK managing general agency (MGA) Pukka Insure is to launch in Australia, with a focus on customers who have struggled to obtain cover elsewhere.

Pukka was established less than two years ago by entrepreneur Sam White, and now it aims to take on the Australian private motor market with “an innovative and client-centric approach”.

Ms White told insuranceNEWS.com.au Pukka will target the whole private car market, but niche pockets, including commercial van drivers, will be identified using data analytics. 

Customers with criminal convictions and complicated claims history will also be a priority.

“We have a wealth of experience dealing with people who have had a history of difficulty getting insurance,” she said. “We’ve been exploring the Australian insurance automotive landscape for nearly two years now and everything we have learned so far has indicated there is a gap in the market an for an ethical, forward-thinking MGA in Australia.

“We are looking at multiple lines of business at the moment, starting with private car insurance.

“The concept of giving people second chances is relatively alien in the insurance world, but it’s one of Pukka Insure’s specialities – we fundamentally believe drivers deserve a second chance and our experience in the UK and further afield has proven us right.”

Pukka says it uses the latest technology to keep down claims costs.

It is yet to announce its capacity provider, and should start operations in Australia in the third quarter of this year.

Last year Ms White announced the launch of motor claims management service Claim Mate, and further developments are expected.

“[Claim Mate] launched in the second half of last year and we are currently working with a handful of smaller insurers,” Ms White told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

“We are also very close to going live with a separate and very exciting claims initiative with a large household-name insurer in Australia.”